Terms of employment: the secret lingo of the workplace

Has your doctor ever prescribed you somebug-juice? Or sent you to therheumaholidaydepartment?

Have you ever read an article full ofanecdataorreviewphemisms?

Do you think you work in anadhocracy, for aseagull manager?

Every workplace has its own words and phrases, from theSmurf juiceused to clean plane toilets to thePeckham Rolexes, worn by criminals on release from prison. ForTerms of Employment, Charlie Croker has patrolled hospital corridors, hung out by office water-coolers and lingered in shops to listen in on the conversations that only take place at work, gathering together the jargon we all use, often without thinking.

Whether you're awhite wig(new barrister), aheatseeker(ambitious employee) or anentreprenerd(geeky IT pioneer)Terms of Employmentis an invaluable - and entertaining - guide.